Heat Pump – My Octopus Experience
The Octopus Team
Shelley Rider is a Nailsworth Town Councillor and Chair of the Environment Committee, and also the NCT liaison with Nailsworth Climate Action Network. She lives in a 1970s modern 3 bedroom semi-detached home, and here shares her experience of getting an air-source heat pump.
I had an old boiler and I wanted to be eco conscious with its replacement. I made an enquiry to OCTOPUS in February 2024 about a heat pump. They gave me a quote and after some consideration on my part took a fully refundable £500 deposit.
A survey of my property followed a couple of months later with two engineers coming out to see if this was feasible and doing some complex heat calculations. I only had single panelled radiators which needed upgrading. A plan followed with the results and an indication of what they would do. They stayed for three hours.
I then waited, and waited until an installation date was finally arranged on 30th September. In the meantime the co-ordinator was in contact with me to sort out any issues by email and phone.
The installation lasted four days
Day 1 – replacement of single-panelled radiators with new double-panelled ones throughout the house
Day 2 – Installation of HEAT PUMP and piping
DAY 3 – Installation of HOT WATER TANK and piping
DAY 4 – Testing and setting up of software to control the system
There were three people, one electrician and two plumbers, and what a team they were. They worked solidly from 8.30am – 4.30pm with no lunch breaks. I took pity on them and made them sandwiches.
I was absolutely amazed at how easy the process was – no fuss, all action. All hands to the pump as they say. The result is incredible I’m fully electric and carbon neutral to boot. The house is a cosy 21°C during the day and 19°C at night. No need to switch on and off just a constant perfect temperature for me.
So let me give you the figures
The cost of the radiators, hot water tank and heat pump and installation was £10,200, but I only had to pay £2,700 because of the £7,500 Government grant (see Boiler Upgrade Scheme). A bargain I’d say!
I had to do some additional work prior to the installation because I had microbore piping but that didn’t put me off – I’ve upgraded my house – Fit for the Future.
Octopus did everything including applying for the government grant – a wrap around service. They even have an aftercare phone number, and a maintenance and service scheme.
My message to you is – “Don’t delay get a heat pump today”
Tidy internal work. The system just does its thing - no fiddling - comfortable heat all the time.